Building a Flat Kit

A flat kit is all those emergency tools or parts that you need if you get a flat, but also if by chance you break a chain or something like that. We call it a flat kit but think of it as an emergency kit.

Staple items that go with me on every ride :

Tube

Tire Levers

Inflation Device

Small Multi Tool

Getting into specifics –

Racing - (These items are normally in a seat bag or wrapped around my stem.)

Explained – I use CO2 on the side of a trail when racing for weight and time. The Park MT-1 disappears into a jersey pocket but has enough leverage to adjust your seatpost or stem. Pedro’s tire levers are awesome and they have a life time warranty. Break it? Send it to them and they’ll replace it. The $1 bill is to boot a tire if there is a tear.Longer rides with a Camelbak –

Explained – For longer rides I like to pack a little more. A handpump is for multiple flats or a slow leak. The Bontrager Rollbar has just enough uses without being bulky. Two tubes in case someone has to borrow one from you. Patch kit is for more than 2 flats. $5 bill is for either food, or in case you need a ride home it is normally enough down payment for a taxi until you can get home and get other money. I also have used the bills to boot a tire in case of a large tear in the rubber.

For awhile I had little flat kits made all over the house. Just in case I decide to hop on the cross bike or didn’t want to deal with a bag. Everything rolled up and stuck in a snack size zip lock bag.

Healthy hints –

Make a photo copy of your drivers license and a credit card. Write down your husband or mothers cell phone number and put one of these in each seat pack. If anything happens to you it has your information but also it can get you out of a pinch with the credit card number.

Great info! Especially the photo copies. I need to get my butt in to your store and let you watch me try to change a flat. I watched the video on UT and it was pretty informative (at least Kelly now knows how to change a flat), but I would probably freak out and have a panic attack if it really happened to me.

Featured Posts

About

Bike Shop Girl is me, Arleigh Jenkins. With over 12+ years of bicycle industry experience from running bike shops, seasoned bike mechanic & fitter, to avid bike commuter and racer; you can say I've done almost everything. I started Bike Shop to reach more women and make their cycling experience better.